Dan Robson to make first England Saxons start against Scotland A

Dan Robson to make first England Saxons start against Scotland A

Gloucester Rugby scrum half Dan Robson is set for his first England Saxons start when he partners club team mate Freddie Burns at half back against Scotland A on Friday night (7.30pm).

Robson trained with the Saxons last week ahead of the game against the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds, but now gets a chance to show what he can do at this level.

Also making his first Saxons start, having featured as a replacement against the Wolfhounds last weekend, is second row Elliott Stooke.

Charlie Sharples is named amongst the replacements, while loose head prop Yann Thomas, in such fine form for Gloucester this season, will travel as cover.

Joe Lydon, the RFU Head of International Player Development, said: "This group of young players worked hard in both preparing for and playing against an experienced Wolfhounds side at Kingsholm.

"We didn't deliver the win on Saturday but created some good opportunities and the team are building their knowledge of what is expected and our knowledge of them as a squad is also increasing. A further week together should help us continue to improve our collective understanding.

"We have an exciting young squad of real potential with new Saxons caps for Semesa Rokoduguni, Adam Thompstone and Dan Robson all of whom continue to play consistently well for their respective clubs.

"We are under no illusion how tough it will be for us in Glasgow against Scotland A, who've done well against us at this level in recent years, but our players have a lot of talent, endeavour and a willingness to work for each other to build on their club form.

"This squad has an average age of 24 and our aim is to continue working with them in an evolving long-term programme that compliments the excellent work done at their clubs in developing players capable of achieving success at club and at senior international level at the World Cups in 2015, 2019 and beyond."

England Saxons

15 Rob Miller (Sale Sharks)

14 Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby)

13 Elliot Daly (London Wasps)

12 Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)

11 Adam Thompstone (Leicester Tigers)

10 Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)

9 Dan Robson (Gloucester Rugby)

1 Alex Waller (Northampton Saints)

2 Dave Ward (Harlequins)

3 Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)

4 Elliott Stooke (Gloucester Rugby)

5 George Kruis (Saracens)

6 Calum Clark (Northampton Saints, Captain)

7 Luke Wallace (Harlequins)

8 Sam Dickinson (Northampton Saints)

Replacements

16 Jamie George (Saracens)

17 Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby)

18 Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons)

19 Charlie Matthews (Harlequins)

20 Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs)

21 Joe Simpson (London Wasps)

22 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)

23 Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby)

Note: You can watch Scotland A v England Saxons streamed live online at rfu.com on Friday night.